News

Sarkozy wants new electoral system for French Polynesia, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

French President Sarkozy has recently made a declaration that he will push for a change of French Polynesia's electoral system, so that the political stability will be increased. French Polynesia's electoral system was last changed under urgency in 2007 to hold general elections in 2008. Since then, there have been 4 presidents and there is now a threat of fresh no confidence vote to be lodged. The next election is scheduled for 2013.

French Polynesia majority to consider assembly presidency candidate, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

The ruling coalition in French Polynesia is to meet shortly to discuss next week’s re-election of the assembly leadership amid a push by the Tahoeraa Huiraatira Party to make its leader, Gaston Flosse, the assembly president.

Oscar Temaru elected as French Polynesia's new assembly president, Radio Australia News (2010)

The French Polynesian assembly election of the opposition's Oscar Temaru, as its president, is being seen as a major set-back for the ruling coalition leader Gaston Tong Sang.

Date set in fresh French Polynesia electoral reform, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

The French overseas territories ministry says a mission will be sent to French Polynesia on May the 26th to discuss reforming the electoral system in view of the political instability.

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French Polynesia electoral reform up for discussion, Radio New Zealand (2010)

This article reports about the mission of a French delegation in French Polynesia. This delegation will mediate among all parties and leaders in the country to change the current electoral system. Political instability is a very big issue in the country, and the electoral system instituted in 2007 did not help so far.

Call for French Polynesia independence referendum, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article reports on the statement by Oscar Temaru, leader of the assembly, about the possibility of a referendum on the territory's independence. Mr Temaru reached this decision after France's attempts to impose reforms. However, French Polynesia is not on the UN list of territories to be decolonised.

Tahoeraa wants French Polynesia independence referendum, Radio New Zealand (2010)

This article addresses the latest political discussions in French Polynesia about a possible independence referendum. The anti-independence Tahoeraa Huiraatira Party is calling for a referendum, and formally asked President Nicolas Sarkozy to organize this event.

French Polynesia: Tahiti election reform talks in doubt, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article reports on the possibility of the failure of next month's scheduled talks in Paris about the electoral reform in French Polynesia. As a matter of fact, some political parties will boycott the meeting organized by the French overseas territories minister. Paris has changed the electoral law three times since 2004, but this did not bring political stability to the country. The last reform was implemented even though the French Polynesia assembly voted overwhelmingly against it.

French Polynesia: Talks in Paris over changing Tahiti’s electoral system yet again, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article reports on the upcoming meetings between the French overseas territories minister and the French Polynesian leaders in Paris. The meetings have been called to discuss an electoral reform in French Polynesia, the fourth in six years. The French minister aims to solve the continued political instability in the small country, which has caused serious economic consequences. The opposition coalition boycotted the Paris meetings, claiming that such discussions should be held inside the country.

Paris indicates no changes to Tahiti’s electoral system before March, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article discusses the reform to the French Polynesian electoral law. After 10 days of intensive discussion in Paris between the French minister of overseas territories and Tahiti's political leaders, the President, Gaston Tong Sang, stated that the French Assembly will not be able to discuss the reform before March. France decided that there will be no territorial elections before 2013. On the other hand, the opposition boycotted and Paris meetings and is campaigning for independence.

French Polynesia township awaits ruling on Vernaudon re-election bid, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article reports on the decision over whether or not new municipal elections will be called in the French Polynesian township of Mahina. The former mayor, Emile Vernaudon, became the first person under French jurisdiction to be elected mayor while in jail in 2008. He was accused of alleged fraud and his trial will start next month.

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More electoral reform for French Polynesia, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article reports on the discussions about a new electoral reform in French Polynesia. The French overseas territories minister outlined the key elements that will be included in the electoral reform (the third since 2007): the Society Islands will form a single electorate with 42 seats, while the other four constituencies will have 2 each. The number of members of the assembly will then be reduced from 57 to 50. In the future, the no-confidence vote will need to be supported by three fifth of the assembly. The French legislature will discuss this reform by the end of the year.

French Polynesia’s leaders issue a joint declaration reject Paris’s reform package, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article reports on the reactions to the electoral reform in French Polynesia proposed by the French government. The three main parties in the country will send a letter to the French Polynesia president, Nicolas Sarkozy, with their objections to the proposal. Among other things, they are contesting the adoption of two different electoral systems (one of the Society Islands and once of the other four archipelagos).

Campaigning begins in French Polynesia’s Mahina election, Radio New Zealand International (2011)

This article reports on the start of the official campaigning for the municipal election in Mahina, French Polynesia. The elections were called after the mayor was declared ineligible to hold office after a corruption conviction - in 2008 Mr Vernaudon became the first person under French jurisdiction to be elected mayor while in jail. Currently, Mr Vernaudon is waiting for his verdict, but expressed interest in running once again for the municipal poll.

French Polynesia politician to contest election from jail, Radio New Zealand International (2011)

This article reports on Emile Vernaudon's decision to contest this month's municipal election in French Polynesia from jail. Mr Vernaudon and 11 other candidates were sentenced for the abuse of funds at the state-owned telecommunications company. Three years ago, Mr Vernaudon made legal history by becoming the first person under French jurisdiction to be elected mayor while still in jail (but he then lost his position for a conviction of corruption).